Measuring Burnout Syndrome in Croatia Using the BAT-23: Validation Study and Statistical Norms

Abstract

This paper validates the Croatian version of a new instrument for assessing burnout syndrome at both the individual and group level – the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-23). The Croatian version of the BAT-23 was applied to a representative sample of the Croatian working population (n = 768) with the aim of testing its construct validity and obtaining national statistical norms. The results indicated high internal consistency for the BAT-23 total score as well as its subscales: Exhaustion, Emotional Impairment, Cognitive Impairment, and Mental Distance (coefficients ranged from .81 to .90). Additionally, the subscales demonstrated the expected positive intercorrelations, ranging from .49 to .66. The best-fitting model was a bifactor latent model containing the four factors describing core symptoms, along with a general factor of burnout encompassing all items. Furthermore, the theoretical validity of the model was tested by applying the basic tenets of the Job Demands-Resources Model. The results demonstrated a positive association between an individual’s level of burnout (total score and four specific dimensions) and perceived job demands, reported secondary symptoms of impaired mental health, and turnover intention, as well as a negative association with self-rated job resources and in-role performance. Statistical norms are provided for the working population of Croatia.